The real-time strategy genre is far from dead, but it's not exactly leading the PC scene, at least not to the extent it was in the 1990s. This was a decade defined by the likes of Command and Conquer, Starcraft, Warcraftand Total annihilationand while some of these IPs have survived in some form, many others have fallen into obscurity, and one in particular—Dark Reign—is especially ripe for a comeback.
Overshadowed by the much more popular and productive Command and Conquer, Dark Reign embraces many of the RTS genre's greatest strengths. Its structure-building mechanics, while imperfect, are quite satisfying, and it includes a surprising number of quality-of-life features that, combined with good AI, help it stand the test of time. Dark Reign agree in other words. Maybe publisher Activision just didn't think the IP was worth investing in long-term, or maybe the cultural swing away from the RTS genre in the 2000s made it seem outdated, but Dark Reign deserve better.
The best RTS games to play if you love Starcraft
Many StarCraft fans will soon be looking for something similar to play. Here are the best games to scratch that itch.
Dark Reign presents a promising sci-fi world worth revisiting
There are two games in it Dark Reign franchise:
- Dark Reign: The Future of War (1997)
- Dark Reign 2 (2000)
The first game, which I will simply refer to as Dark Reignfollows a member of a future civilization called the Tograns, which has been largely destroyed due to a conflict between two warring factions, the Imperium and the Freedom Guard. Even the Togran's home planet, Strata-7, has been destroyed. However, shortly before its destruction, a famous scientist named Alpheus Togra launched a time travel device into space, giving the remaining Tograns a chance to turn back the clock and change the course of history.
Fit the 9 games into the grid.
Start
However, to be considered worthy of taking up this cause, the player must complete a series of simulated missions, which make up the majority of Dark Reigns single player campaign. These simulations recreate key battles between the Freedom Guard and the Imperium, and the player can freely switch sides before each battle. After winning all the simulated battles, the player character goes back in time and defeats both factions, thereby stopping the destruction of Strata-7.
A Dark Reign expansion is called Rise of the Shadowhand continues to cover the complications arising from the resurrection of the Tograns, and is technically the latest entry in the series' chronology.
Dark Reign 2a prequel, offers more context for the events leading up to the devastating war between the Empire and the Freedom Guard. The game takes place on 25th century Earth, which has been ravaged by environmental collapse and civil strife. The Empire, now called the Jovian Detention Authority (JDA), oversees a massive authoritarian government that spans several dome cities. The inhabitants of these cities must submit to the absolute authority of the JDA or else be banished to the inhospitable environments beyond the domes. Those who choose to defy the JDA are called the Sprawlers, a faction that eventually morphs into the Freedom Guard. Despite adding this valuable world-building content, Dark Reign 2 is generally considered to have been a commercial failure.
A dark government retaliation can be sweet and simple
It is likely that the low revenues on Dark Reign 2 is the main reason we've never seen one Dark Reign 3or a Dark Reign remake, for that matter. And while rights holder Activision may be more focused on its big-budget cash cows, the breadth and diversity of the modern gaming audience can absolutely support a smaller project, like a new Dark Reign.
Unlike many of its contemporaries, the Dark Reign Games never put a premium on cutscenes, fancy graphics, or cutting-edge technology. While one would imagine that a newer Dark Reign would be modernized in many ways, it would not need to change these basic aspects of the series: Dark Reign is special because of its world-building, which doesn't necessarily cost a premium to maintain and develop. In this way, Dark Reign could be modest in terms of innovation and scale, and serve as a lower investment project that appeals to a more focused demographic.
